Corn-planter.



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PATENTED JAN. 3, 1905. M. ZIMMERMAN.

CORN PLANTER APPLICATION FILED MAY 16, 1904.

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No. 779,147. PATENTED JAN. 3, 1905.

M. ZIMMBRMAN.

CORN PLANTER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 16, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Suva W001:

wwmeooeo PATENTED JAN. 3, 1905.

M. ZIMMERMAN.

CORN PLANTER.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY 16, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 ilNrTEn STATES Patented January 3, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

CORN-PLANTER.

QPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 779,147, dated January 3, 1905.

Application filed May 16, 1904. Serial No. 208,198.

To a whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARTIN ZIMMERMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jeromeville, in the county of Ashland and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Corn-Planters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in corn-planters.

The object of the invention is to provide a corn-planter having a feeding mechanism which will be automatically operated to discharge a certain quantity of seed at intervals along the travel of the machine.

Another object is to provide means whereby the position of the seed-discharge tubes may be changed so that the seed may be dropped in even rows across the field.

A further object is to provide means whereby the feeding mechanism may be quickly thrown into and out of gear.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a corn-planter embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1, showing the feed-tube-adjusting mechanism. Fig. 4 is a similar view on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1, showing the friction clutch device for engaging the supporting-wheels and imparting the motion of the same to the operating mechanism. Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view of one side of the machine, taken on a line with the supporting shaft or axle. Fig. 6 is a detail side view of one of the feed-tn hes. Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view of the same, showing in full lines the position of the discharge-valves when the tube is at one point in its revolution and in dotted lines when the tube is in other positions and the arrangeinent of the valves when the tube is in these positions. Fig. 8 is a detail view of a portion of the supporting shaft or axle, showing the construction of the mechanism for throwing the clutch-shoes into engagement with supporting-wheels. Fig. 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the lower end-of one of the seed-hoppers. Fig. 10 is ahorizontal sectional view of the same; and Fig. 11 is a plan view of the adjustable discharge-plate, which is arranged on the under side of the hopper.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 denotes the frame of the machine, consisting of front and rear cross-pieces 2 and 3, end pieces 4, a central cross-piece 5, which may be continued forwardly to form the tongue 6, and intermediate cross-pieces 7, arranged between the central cross-piece 5 and the end pieces 4.

Rotatably mounted in suitable hearings on the under side of the frame 1, midway between the front and rear cross-pieces 2 and 3, is a supporting shaft or axle 8, on which between the end and intermediate cross-pieces are loosely mounted supporting wheels 9. The wheels 9 are adapted to be connected to the supporting-shaft to drive the same by means of a clutch mechanism consisting of bars .10. each fixedly mounted midway between its ends on the shaft 8, adjacent to the inner side of each of the wheels 9. The outer ends of the bars 10 extend to within a short distance of the inner sides of the rims of said wheels and have pivotally connected thereto one end of friction-shoes or clutch members 12, which are adapted to be forced against the rim of the wheels 10, thereby locking the same onto the shaft or axle and causing the same to turn with said wheels. The opposite ends of the shoes 12 are pivotally connected to the outer ends of links 13, the inner ends of which are connected to apertured cars 14, formed on diametrically opposite sides of the sleeves or collars 15, which are loosely mounted on the shaft or axle 8. The said collars 15 are of greater diameter than the shaft 8,, and at diametrically opposite points on the inner walls of the same are formed diagonally-arranged channels or grooves 16.

Keyed to slide on the shaft or axle 8 are sleeves 17, the outside diameter of each of which is the same as the inside diameter of the sleeve or collar 15 into which it is adapted to he slipped. At diametrically opposite points onthe outsides of the sleeves 17 are formed diagonally-arranged ribs or flanges 18, which when the sleeves 17 are slipped into the collars 15 are adapted to engage the channels or grooves 16, and owing to the diagonal arrangement of said ribs and grooves will when so engaged turn said collars 15 on the shaft, thereby forcing the links 13. outwardly and throwing the shoes or clutch members 12 into frictional engagement with the rims of the wheels, thus locking the wheels 9 to the shaft through the medium of the bars-10 and causing said shaft to turn with the wheels.

On the shaft or axle 8, between the wheels and the end cross-pieces of the frame, are fixed seed-tubes 19, the ends of which pro ject radially from opposite sides of the shaft. As the shaft revolves first one end and then the other of the tubes are forced into the ground. The tubes 19 are preferably of flat rectangular shape in cross-section and taper slightly from the center to each end, as shown.

- The extreme ends of the tubes are reduced on opposite sides of the same, as at 20, to forma contracted discharge-outlet, and above said contracted portions are arranged inwardlyprojecting inclined flanges or plates 21, which, together with said reduced portions of said ends, form seed-pockets 22 and also guideways for the heads 23 of sliding plungers 24, which are adapted to be reciprocated within said tubes to open and close said pockets and to force the seed into the ground. The plungers 24 are provided with laterally-projecting pins or studs 25, which project through slots 26 in the outer sides of the tubes. The outer ends of the studs are connected together by a curved bar 27. Pivotally connected to the side of the tube, on each side of the center of the same, are trip-levers 28, which project in opposite directions. The inner ends of said levers are pivotally connected to the connecting-bar 27 near its opposite ends. The outer ends 29 of the levers 28 are slightly curved and projectin opposite directions from the seed-tubes. As the seed-tubes are revolved by the axle 8 the ends 29 of the levers 28 are successively brought into engagement with trip devices 30, secured to the end cross-beams of the frame. The trip devices 30 each consists of ahorizontally-disposed roller 31, journaled in the lower end of a U-shaped bracket 32, fixed on and projecting downwardly and inwardly from said end cross-pieces. As the levers 28 are brought into engagement with the trip devices 30 said levers will be rocked on their pivots, thereby causing the plungers 24 to be reciprocated back and forth in said tubes to open and close the seed-pockets therein to cause the seed to be discharged and forced into the ground at the proper time, as clearly shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings.

On the end pieces 4 of the frame are mounted seed-hoppers 33, which are provided with a suitable discharge mechanism, by which seed is discharged therefrom into a tube or conveyer 34, by which it is directed, through a conically-shaped sleeve 35, into the seedtubes 19.

The feed mechanism for the seed-hoppers consists of a circular bottom plate 36, having in one side a discharge-opening 37, which is adapted to be opened and closed by a sliding plate 38, which works through a guide-lug 39, formed on the bottom plate of the hopper. The plate 38 is formed with an upwardly-projecting annular flange 40, to which the lower end of the body of the hopper is connected.

On the under side of the plate 36is secured a spacing or pivot plate 41, in which is formed a discharge-apertu re 42, which registers with the discharge-opening 37 in the plate 36. On the lower side of the plate 41 is formed a downwardly-projecting annular concentrically-arranged flange 43. Beneath the plate 41 and pivotally mounted on the ends 4 of the frame is a cut-off plate 44, in which near the outer edge is formed a series of dischargeopenings 45, varying in size. The plate is adapted to be adjusted to bring one or the other of the openings in position to be oscillated back and forth beneath the dischargeopenings 37. and 42 of the plates 36 and 41. In the upper side of the plate 44 is formed an annular concentrically arranged recess 46, into which is adapted to project the flange 43 on the lower side of the plate 41. The plate 44 is pivotally mounted on end cross-pieces of the frame by means of a stud-bolt 47 which projects upwardly from a pivot-plate 48, secured on said end piece, and through a centrally-disposed aperture formed in the bottom of the recessed portion of said plate 44. On the upper end of said stud-bolt is screwed a nut by which the plate is retained in place.

On the lower side of the plate 44, near the outer edge of the same, is formed a series of downwardly-projecting studs 49, with one of which is adapted to be pivotally connected one end of a link-rod 50, the opposite end of which is connected to the upper end of a pivoted lever 51. To the lower end of the lever 51 is pivotally connected one end of a pitmanrod 52, the opposite end of which is pivotally connected to a wrist-pin 53, fixed on the outer face of a spur-gear pinion 54, which is pivotall-y mounted on the end piece of the frame and meshes with a spur-gear 55, fixedly mounted on the shaft 8 of the machine adjacent to the outer side of said end cross-pieces, whereby when said shaft is rotated said gears will be driven, thus rocking the lever 51 and oscillating the pivoted feed-plate 44 to move one of its discharge-openings back and forth beneath the discharge-openings of the hopper. By connecting the link-rod with the difl'erent studs 49 the plate 44 will be turned into position to bring any of the openings 45 into position to coact with the discharge-openings in the plates above, thereby adapting the feed mechanism for use with various kinds of seeds.

Any suitable shifting mechanism may be employed to slide the sleeve 17 into and out of engagement with the collar 15, and thereby throw the machine into and out of operation. The shifting mechanism here shown consists of a T-shaped lever 56, pivoted on the central cross-piece of the frame. To the front and rear ends of said lever are connected the inner ends of laterally-projecting shifting-bars 57, the outer ends of which are bent downwardly and are forked to adapt them to loosely engage an annular groove or channel 58, formed on the sleeve 17, thereby permitting said sleeve to turn with the axle, but enabling the bars 57 when operated to slide said sleeves on the axle. To the laterally-projecting member of the T-shaped lever 56 is connected the inner end of a rod or link 59, the outer end of which is connected to an operating-lever 60, pivotally connected to the forward portion of the central cross-piece of the frame. Said lever is held in position by a pawl 61, which is adapted to engage asegmental rack 62, as shown. By throwing the lever 60 backward or forward the shifting-bars will be drawn inwardly or pushed outwardly, thereby slipping the sleeves 17 into or out of engagement with the collars 15, which will in turn force the shoes or clutch elements 12 into engagement with the rims of the supporting-wheels, and thereby lock the axle or shaft 8 to said wheels and cause the same to turn therewith, thus actuating the planting mechanism fixed on or controlled by said shaft.

In order that the feed-tubes may be turned to start planting at a particular point, so as to bring the hills or rows in line, an adjusting mechanism is employed. Said mechanism consists of a toothed wheel 63, fixed on the shaft or axle 8, with which is adapted to be engaged a double pawl 64, said pawl being pivotally mounted on a lever 65, which is in turn loosely mounted on the shaft 8. The pawl 64 is normally held out of engagement with the teeth of the wheel 63 bymeans of a spring 66, secured to said lever and having its free end in engagement with a notch in the upper side of and midway between the ends of the pawl 64:. In order to simultaneously engage one end and disengage the opposite end of the pawl from wheel 63, said ends are connected to the lower ends of link-rods 67, the upper ends of which are connected to a double handle 68, pivotally connected to the upper end of the lever 65. Then it is desired to turn the feedtubes in one direction or the other, the lever 65 is grasped and one side or the other of the handle 68 pressed to throw the opposite end of the pawl into engagement with the teeth of the wheel 63. The lever is then pushed in the direction it is desired the feed-tn bes should be turned, thereby turning the Wheel 63, shaft or axle 8, and the feed-tubes in this direction, a reversal of the operation causing the parts to be turned in an opposite direction, as will be understood.

On the outer projecting ends of the shaft or axle 8, beyond the end cross-pieces of the machine, is secured a tubular cross-head 69, the ends of which project radially in diametrically opposite directions. In said ends are slidably mounted the inner ends of marker rods or bars 70, said inner ends of the bars 70 being provided with a laterally-projecting pin or stud 71,which engages a slot 7 2,formed in the ends of the tubular bar 69, thereby preventing the disengagement of the parts. The outer ends of the bars or rods 70 form substantially horizontally disposed markers. On the rods 70, between the markers-and the ends of the tubular bars in which said rods- 3 70 are mounted, are arranged coiled springs 74, which are adapted to normally force the marker-rods and markers outwardly to cause the same when rotated by the shaft 8 to engage and form a depression in the groun The spring connection of the marker-rods 7 O with the tubular cross-heads 69 causes the same to yield or give inwardly when striking a stone or other obstruction, thereby preventing the parts of the markers from being broken.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation of theinvention will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a planter, a main frame, seed-dropping mechanism thereon including a cut-off plate movable in reverse directions, an axleshaft for the main frame, having supportingwheels and a master-gear, a pinion engaging said gear and carried by the frame, a rocking lever also carried by the frame, and link-rods connecting said lever to said pinion and said cut-0H plate, substantially as described.

p 2. A planter havinga revoluble shaft, markers carried thereby, a seed dropping tube also carried and revolved thereby and provided with plungers, means to operate the plungers, a ground-wheel loose on the shaft, means to lock it thereto at will, means, independent of the ground-wheel, to turn the shaft for adj usting the seed-dropping tube and markers, a feeding mechanism for the seed-dropping tube and means, driven by the shaft, to actuate the feeding mechanism, substantially as described.

3. In a seed-planter, the combination of a supporting-frame having a stop device, a revoluble shaft mounted on the frame, seed-dis- 4:. In aplanter, the combination of a shaft,

a revoluble seed-dropping tube thereon having on one side an outwardly-extending frustoconical sleeve forming an opening around the shaft, in combination with a seed feeding mechanism and a duct leading therefrom and discharging into said sleeve, substantially as described.

5. In a planter, the combination of a shaft, a seed-dropping tube secured to and revolved thereby, a ground-wheel loose on the shaft, a cross-bar fixed on the shaft, clutch members pivotally connected to the ends of the crossbar and disposed within the rim of the wheel, a revoluble element loose on the shaft, connections between the revoluble element and the clutch members, and means to turn said revoluble element to cause the clutch members to engage or disengage the rim of the ground-whcel, substantially as described.

6. In a seed-planting machine, the combination with a supporting-frame, of a shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, supportingwheels loosely mounted on said shaft, a crossbar fixed on said shaft, clutch elements pivotally mounted on the ends of said bar, to en gage the rim of said wheels, means whereby said clutch elements are engaged with and disengaged from said wheel rims, feed-tubes fixed on said shaft, seed-discharging mechanism'carried by said tubes, and means whereby the said mechanism is actuated to discharge and plant the seed in said tubes, substantially as described.

7. In a seed-planting machine, the combination with a supporting-frame, of a shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, supportingwheels loosely mounted on said shaft, a crossbar fixed on said shaft, clutch elements pivotally mounted on the ends of said bar, to engage the rim of said wheels, collars arranged on said shaft, ears formed on and projecting in diametrically opposite directions from' said collars, links connecting said clutch elements with said ears, sleeves slidably mounted on said shaft to engage said collars, means whereby the engagement of said sleeves and collars will throw said clutch elements into frictional engagement with the rim of said wheel, means for sliding said sleeves into engagement with said collars, and automatically-operated feedtubes fixed on said shaft, substantially as described.

8. In a seed-planting machine, the combination with a supporting-frame, of a shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, supportingwheels loosely mounted on said shaft, a crossbar fixed on said shaft, clutch elements pivotally mounted on the ends of said bar, to engage the rim of said wheels, collars arranged on said shaft, ears formed on and projecting in diametrically opposite directions from said collars, links connecting said clutch elements with said ears, diagonally-arranged grooves formed in the inner wall of said collars, sleeves slidablymounted on said shaft to engage said collars, diagonally-arranged ribs formed on said sleeves to 'enter the grooves in said col-o MARTIN ZIMMERMAN.

Witnesses:

JOHN WILSON, R. (J. WILSON. 

